Have you ever heard of the Naga Hornbill Festival? If not, then let us tell you today about this special festival, which is known for its colorful shades not only in the North-East but all over India.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Hornbill Festival
What is the Hornbill Festival?
The Hornbill Festival is celebrated every year in the first week of December in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. This festival is no less than a great festival for the Naga people. In this ten-day festival, all 16 Naga castes come together and showcase their culture. The Hornbill Festival is named so because the bird named Hornbill (dhrupad) is considered the state bird of Nagaland. This bird is a symbol of strength, unity and intelligence.
What is the significance hornbill festival?
The significance of the Hornbill Festival is not just to showcase Naga culture, but it is special in many ways:
A Blend of Cultures:
Nagaland is home to 16 different Naga tribes, who have their own languages, attire and traditions. The Hornbill Festival is a platform where all these tribes come together and share their culture with everyone. This strengthens the unity among the Naga people and also lets the outside world know about their rich heritage. Also Check : Nagaland State Sambad Lottery Result Live
A Showcase of Traditional Art:
The Naga people are known for their handicrafts, weaving and music. These arts are showcased brilliantly at the Hornbill Festival. You can see beautiful handloom clothes, bamboo products and traditional music performances here. Sometimes foreign artists also come to participate in this festival, which leads to an exchange of art and culture.
Boosting Tourism:
The Hornbill Festival also plays an important role in promoting tourism in the Naga state. Through this festival, people from the country and abroad come to Nagaland and get to know its beauty, culture and traditions closely. This also increases employment of local people and also strengthens the economy of the state.
History of Hornbill Festival
Hornbill Festival! This colourful celebration of Naga culture is famous all over the country today, but do you know how it started? Let us take you on the wings of the history of this festival, where we will tell its story.
The Seed Was Sown
The story of the Hornbill Festival begins in 2000. However, at that time this festival was not in its present form. Actually, at that time a Winter Carnival was organized in Kohima, in which the Naga people used to show some things related to their culture. But these were small programs.
The Dream of Beauty and Aesthetics Society
In the year 2000 itself, a dream of an organization of Kohima “Beauty and Aesthetics Society” came to the fore. They thought why not bring the people of the whole of Nagaland together and organize a grand celebration of their culture. In this way the seed of Hornbill Festival was sown. Also Check : Nagaland State Sambad Lottery Result Live
The Hornbill Bird: A Symbol of Strength and Unity
When a new beginning is made, the name should also be special. Therefore, the festival was named “Hornbill”. It is the state bird of the Naga state. It is believed that this bird is a symbol of strength, unity and intelligence. So this name not only reflects the grand nature of the festival, but also describes the values of Naga culture.
The Journey from Small to Big Celebration
The first Hornbill Festival was held in the first week of December in 2000. But initially it was limited to only a few cultural programs and performances. Gradually, year after year, the scope of the festival increased. Today it is a grand event lasting ten days, in which all 16 castes of Naga people participate. Every year new things have been included, which has brought diversity to the festival and it has also become a special attraction for tourists.
Hornbill Festival date and time
The Hornbill Festival is celebrated every year in the first week of December, i.e. from 1 December to 10 December, in Kohima, Nagaland. If you want to see this festival, then plan your trip in December itself.
What’s Special?
The Hornbill Festival is not just about dancing and singing. These ten days are full of colorful performances of Naga culture. Let’s take a look at these special things: to do in Hornbill festival
Traditional Dances and Music:
In the Hornbill Festival, the Naga people dress up in their traditional costumes and dance and sing with great pomp. Every Naga caste has its own dance and music, which they present on this occasion. People dancing to the beat of the drum and the sweet voices of the singers make the whole atmosphere pleasant. Also Check : Nagaland State Sambad Lottery Result Live
A Gathering of Games:
The Naga people are also known for their traditional games. Competitions of these games are also organized in the Hornbill Festival. You can see exciting games like archery, pyramid-building competition by standing on each other’s shoulders (Long Jump, but this is wrong) and stone lifting competition here. Sometimes foreign players also participate in these competitions, which increases the thrill of the game even more.
A Delicious Food Journey:
Any celebration is incomplete without delicious food. In the Hornbill Festival, you get a chance to taste the delicious taste of Naga traditional cuisine. From momos to Akhuni (Fermented Soybean Dish), every kind of dish is available here. Along with this, you can also taste the local fruits. So prepare your taste buds, because eating in the Hornbill Festival is also fun in its own way!
The Great Gathering of Nagas
There are 16 different Naga tribes living in Nagaland, who have their own languages, attire and traditions. The Hornbill Festival is a special platform where all these tribes come together and celebrate their festival together.
A Different Color of Each Tribe:
Each Naga tribe comes dressed in their traditional costumes in the festival. People of some tribes wear colorful clothes, while some have great jewelry in their costumes. Each tribe also has its own special headdress, which is their identity. Seeing this sight, it seems as if the rainbow has descended on earth!
The Melody of Dance and Rhythm of Music:
Each Naga tribe has its own special dance and music. Some dance to the beat of drums, while others to the sweet tune of bamboo flute. Some tribes perform war dances, while others perform joyous plays. This diversity is the beauty of the Hornbill Festival. Every dance and music tells its own story of Naga history and traditions.
Storytellers and Artisans:
Many elderly people also come to the festival, who tell stories passed down from generation to generation. These stories are the heritage of Naga culture. Also, many artisans also come to sell beautiful clothes, bamboo items and jewelry made by them. You can take a lovely souvenir of Naga handicrafts from here.
Welcoming International Guests
The Hornbill Festival is not just a festival of the Nagas. Every year many tourists from India and abroad also come to see this festival. Some foreign artists also participate in it. This promotes Naga culture and also increases cultural exchange at the international level. Also Check : Nagaland State Sambad Lottery Result Live
Kohima: The Courtyard of the Queen of Hills
The Hornbill Festival is held in Kohima every year in the first week of December. Kohima is the capital of Nagaland, which is surrounded by beautiful mountains. There can be no better place than Kohima for the Hornbill Festival. This festival becomes even more colorful amidst the natural beauty of the mountains.
Comfort and Facilities
There are many options for staying in Kohima during the festival. You can stay in a hotel, guesthouse or government homestay according to your budget. There is no shortage of food and drink around the festival. From local shops to restaurants, you will find delicious Naga traditional food and other things everywhere.
Ten Days, Countless Memories
The Hornbill Festival lasts for ten days, and every day there is some special program. So let’s have a glimpse of these ten days:
First Day: Inaugural Ceremony
The pomp of the Hornbill Festival begins with the inaugural ceremony. In this, people dressed in the colorful costumes of Naga tribes dance and sing and the chief guest of the government inaugurates the festival. Also Check : Nagaland State Sambad Lottery Result Live
Second to Sixth Day: The Thrill of Competitions
Many types of competitions are organized in the festival during these days. You can see archery, basketball, eating competition and traditional Naga games. Also, a handicraft exhibition is held, where you can buy beautiful handicrafts.
Seventh and Eighth Day: Celebration of Music
The Hornbill Festival not only has Naga folk music, but also musical programs of artists from India and abroad. These two days are no less than a celebration for music lovers. Also Check : Nagaland State Sambad Lottery Result Live
Ninth Day: Open Air Dance
On the ninth day, the festival has an Open Air Dance, where anyone can join in and dance. This is an opportunity where you can join in the joy of the Naga people by dancing and singing.
Tenth Day: Closing Ceremony
The last day of the Hornbill Festival is the closing ceremony. It includes prize distribution and a spectacular display of fireworks. However, the festival comes to an end,
Interesting Facts:
Some more interesting facts about the Hornbill Festival, which will make your celebration even more special:
Motsü Field: The center of the festival
The main venue of the Hornbill Festival is Motsü Field in Kohima. It is decorated as Naga Heritage Village. The opening and closing ceremonies take place here, as well as many cultural programs are also organized here.
Hornbill Music Festival:
For music lovers, Hornbill Music Festival is also organized during the Hornbill Festival. Apart from Naga artists, famous artists from India and abroad also perform in it.
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Tourism Potential:
Hornbill Festival plays an important role in promoting tourism in Nagaland. During this time, along with visiting Kohima, you can also visit the beautiful hilly areas nearby. Daifu (Dzukou Valley) and Satori (Saramati) are some such beautiful picnic spots.
Be a Part of It:
Hornbill Festival is not just an experience to watch, but also an experience to participate in it. You can buy Naga traditional costumes and become a part of the festival by wearing them. Also, you can get to know the culture of the local people closely by singing and dancing with them.